A Journey by Train

A Journey by Train

Author: Engr. Md. Nadimul Islam

Journey is always fascinating. It charms our mind and makes us happy. Journey is a relief in our monotonous everyday life. After a journey we feel relaxed and fresh. It also fills our heart with peace. During the last winter vacation, I got an opportunity to make a journey by train with my family members from Dhaka to Rajshahi. My uncle lives there. We generally go to Rajshahi by bus. But that time my father decided to go there by train.

It was 11 December, 2010. We got up early in the morning, took preparation and got on two rickshaws. It took almost half an hour to reach Kamlapur Railway Station.

My father bought four tickets from the ticket counter for the 'Ekota Express'. We got into the train and found our seats beside the window. Within a few minutes, the guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag and the train started to move slowly at about 7.30 am. The train left the platform and gradually it attained speed. The window was opened and I could see outside easily. The train was moving at a great speed and there was a great jerking. The village women were seen carrying pitchers of water, farmers were seen working in the fields and young boys and girls were shivering in cold. All these left a permanent impression on my mind.

As it was an intercity train, it did not stop in many stations and was not very crowded. When it was crossing small stations, it seemed speedier. There were a few hawkers selling boiled eggs, chanachur and betel leaf and fried ground nut. We had our breakfast with bread and boiled eggs. Later an attendant was ordered to bring tea.

The time passed by. During the journey, my father showed me the Indian boarder at hilly station. I was enjoying everything around me. In this way we passed ten hours and at last reached Raajshahi. My uncle was waiting for us with a car. After coming out of the station, it took only ten minutes to reach my uncle’s house. We were greeted cordially.

Thus the train journey came to an end. Though I made the journey last year, the memory of it is ever fresh in my mind.